6 Days Later

~ CHAPTER 3 ~

6.10.19

*This chapter is the 2nd THIRD of the main Plot. It is long I know, but you can't miss this as it is a huge part in the book. I hope you enjoy*

Turning my head to Hunter, my face now half-lit by the hungry fire that had been given its fuel, he then grabbed my hand and squeezed it tightly as if to say 'it will be ok'. He knew I hated being on my own. My face was an open book of anxiety and worry at this stage. I was hoping that Hunter would hide with me to ease my fear of being alone.

"On the count of 20, I will go find all of you. Whoever I find first will then be the next person to count. Ok?" Evelyn's voice chirped. Turning her back to us all she stepped into the middle of the seating circle, only to crunch all the dried and fallen leaves beneath her boots. She was a hungry mountain lion, waiting for its prey to fall into her trap.

Then she began to count down.

The only source of light was now casting a golden ombre shadow upon Evelyns skin. Her million-dollar smile, gleaming as she settled herself. She looked like the friendliest person in the world, sometimes I wish it was that way. Grabbing Hunter's arm, I gained my balance and we both legged it away from her. Scattering ourselves away from the heart of the carnival park, that was the last I saw of Aurora and Skye, or so we hoped.

The burst bulbs of the fairy lights that laced and intertwined through the sharp naked branches that didn't extend a warm welcome to trespassers, flickered their dim light as we passed the rusted and broken down Ferris wheel. Ducking under the oxidized, torn down signs that once towered above as a welcome sign, now lay upon the wasteland full of used and broken syringes along with the odd glass bottle of Smirnoff and cans of various beer. Tracks above us curled like spines of the forgotten gigantic mythical creatures that once lived. The higher parts of it obscured by the fog that began to settle in after show of bright bolts of lightning. This place had laid derelict for years.

It was every rebellious teenager's cloud 9. To get wasted and high without the responsibility of nagging adults questioning their every move.

-

Grabbing the bottom of my dampened neck, I tried to steady my wheezy breathing as both Hunter and I decided to hide within the 'Magic Mirror Maze'. Personally, this wasn't the best place to hide as the escape route was a confusing one, especially when we chose the third floor of the maze. Facing me, he placed his index finger to his lips, signalling me to stay quiet. After what felt like hours of only the howling wind, following us through the shards of broken and vandalised mirrors, we were finally alone together.

"What happened between your sister and you?"

His voice was more serious than I have ever heard it before. Beads of perspiration were now trickling down my face as my body desperately tried to cool myself down. "Huh?" was all I managed to say. Confusion once again engraved upon my delicate face. "She seems like she hates you." Digging my nails into my skull, I tried to rack my brain, which was under the influence of a lot of alcohol. Finally, I mustered up the courage and strength to tell him the truth.

"She says I'm the reason Mother and Father got a divorce"

I whispered, sadness laced within each word I uttered. The familiar silence was all that followed my words. "I'm sorry Ivy" Hunters voice broke. Taking my hand in his, he caressed my palm with his thumb, rubbing it gently in circles to calm me down. "It's not your fault babycakes".